By Mark Heys
August 14 2005

Manchester City are still hopeful that their million plus cash offer for Stelios Giannakopoulos will be accepted over the coming days. The Citizens confirmed that they had lodged a sizeable bid for the 31-year old Wanderers flier on Saturday afternoon, in a move which was to leave Sam Allardyce, Phil Gartside and the rest of the Bolton officials seething.

Allardyce was unhappy that City had leaked details of the possible transaction to the media on the same day that Bolton travelled down to Aston Villa for their opening fixture.

"There is obviously a big disappointment from our point of view that it has leaked out from Manchester City in terms of them saying they have made a bid on the eve of a new season."

"I find it a little harsh to take.We could have done our business quietly, it could have come out tomorrow (Sunday) and that would not be a problem, but I think this is poor and we have to live with it.

"We will have to speak with Stelios. The chairman will determinedly resist any offers that Manchester City make unless they make an offer which is so big we can't refuse and we will talk with Stelios next week and see what the situation is"

City boss Stuart Pearce revealed that he had spoken to Allardyce on Friday concerning the possibility of signing the European Championship winner but was told that he was not for sale.

However Pearce confirmed that he is continuing in his pursuit of the former Olympiakos favourite.:

"Stelios is a player I like and I think he will benefit our squad,He is the right age - a young 31 - and there is no weight on him. He has experience, has been involved with the Greek national side. He has had two years in the Premiership and played 30-odd games each season. Overall, he ticks a lot of the right boxes."

"Sam did tell me he does not want to sell him. But we have put the offer there. They might have a rethink and hopefully it will be enough to get him out of the club."

Giannakopoulos signed for Bolton from Olympiakos in the summer of 2003 and has since appeared in over 60 top flight matches for the Trotters.